Introduction to the Case
On Thursday, doctors who testified about medical workers who dealt with Diego Maradona before his death said that the former Argentina soccer star was to be treated as a "high risk" and "very difficult" patient. The 60-year-old Maradona died of cardiac arrest in his house near Buenos Aires on November 25, 2020. After decades, he had recovered from a brain surgery for a blood clot after fighting cocaine and alcohol addiction for decades.
Accusations of Negligence
Seven health workers are accused of negligence because of his death. The accused are facing between eight and 25 years in prison if they are found guilty of "murder with a possible intention". They have denied the charges raised against them.
Testimony from the Court
Sebastian Nani, head of cardiology in the Olivos Clinic, where Maradona had emergency brain surgery on November 3, informed the court that the ex-footballer was "a high-risk patient in which decisive symptoms and considerable care were necessary". Nani also said that the hospital authorities did not agree with two of the accused – neurosurgeons Leopoldo Luque and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov – who recommended that Maradona be treated outside the hospital.
Decisions Questioned
During a court hearing last week, Maradona’s former partner and a doctor also questioned the decisions to bring the World Cup winner into a private house instead of admitting him to a rehabilitation center. Nani added that "Maradona’s responsibility was released 100% at Luque". Luque has been Maradona’s personal doctor for the last four years. Cosachov prescribed his medication, which he took until his death.
Other Defendants
In addition to Luque and Cosachov, the psychologist Carlos Diaz, the doctors Nancy Forlini and Pedro Di Spagna, Mariano Perroni, a representative of the company that provided the nursing service, and the nurse Ricardo Almiron are also on trial.
Further Testimony
The court also heard testimony from the neurosurgeon Rodolfo Benvenuti, who worked with Maradona in the weeks before his death. Benvenuti said that Maradona was "a very difficult patient" who had a "defiant" attitude towards his treatment and had to be convinced before his brain surgery. The witness also described how Luque had collided with the hospital authorities who would lead Maradona’s operation, and Luque was accused of having faked a surgical report in which he said he was the main surgeon.
Treatment at Home
Benvenuti also said that he had met with Maradona’s relatives and his medical team when it was decided that the former football star would continue his treatment at home, where it became apparent that Luque would "intervene if Maradona rejected treatments or medical help". He said that Maradona wanted to leave the clinic as soon as possible and that "he would accept nothing but" a stay at home. Benvenuti also said that a "daily assessment of a clinician" in Maradona’s house would have been sufficient.
Insufficient Clinical Visits
However, the evidence previously presented in the study has shown that the clinical visits have only taken place once a week and that Maradona had refused to be seen during one of these planned visits. The trial will continue next Tuesday.
